U.S. patent application number 14/262017 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-29 for ball transfer unit support systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to Goodrich Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Goodrich Corporation. Invention is credited to Wesley K. Stegmiller.
Application Number | 20150307284 14/262017 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53015531 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150307284 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stegmiller; Wesley K. |
October 29, 2015 |
BALL TRANSFER UNIT SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for ball transfer unit
supports. A ball transfer unit support may include a top ring, an
upper portion adjacent to the top ring, a lower portion, and a
shoulder located between the upper portion and the lower portion.
The shoulder may be configured to support a ball transfer unit. The
top ring may be in the shape of a truncated circle, and the top
ring may snap into an aperture in a top skin of a ball panel. The
top ring may include a retaining lip which snaps below the top
skin. The truncated circle shape of the top ring may provide
anti-rotation between the ball transfer unit support and the ball
panel. The ball transfer unit support may transfer load on the ball
transfer unit to a bottom skin of the ball panel.
Inventors: |
Stegmiller; Wesley K.;
(Jamestown, ND) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Goodrich Corporation |
Charlotte |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Goodrich Corporation
Charlotte
NC
|
Family ID: |
53015531 |
Appl. No.: |
14/262017 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
193/35MD |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C 29/046 20130101;
B65G 13/00 20130101; B65G 39/12 20130101; B65G 39/025 20130101;
F16C 2326/58 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65G 39/12 20060101
B65G039/12; B65G 39/02 20060101 B65G039/02; B65G 13/00 20060101
B65G013/00 |
Claims
1. A ball transfer unit support comprising: a top ring; an upper
portion adjacent to the top ring; a lower portion; and a shoulder
between the upper portion and the lower portion.
2. The ball transfer unit support of claim 1, wherein the top ring
comprises a truncated circle.
3. The ball transfer unit support of claim 1, wherein the shoulder
is configured to support a ball transfer unit.
4. The ball transfer unit support of claim 1, wherein a diameter of
the upper portion is greater than a diameter of the lower
portion.
5. The ball transfer unit support of claim 1, wherein the top ring
comprises a retaining lip.
6. The ball transfer unit support of claim 5, wherein the retaining
lip is configured to contact a bottom surface of a top skin of a
ball panel.
7. The ball transfer unit support of claim 1, further comprising a
ball transfer unit located within the ball transfer unit
support.
8. The ball transfer unit support of claim 1, wherein the top ring
is configured to prevent rotation of the ball transfer unit
support.
9. A ball transfer unit system comprising: a ball panel comprising
an aperture; a ball transfer unit support located within the
aperture, wherein the ball transfer unit support comprises a
shoulder; and a ball transfer unit located within the ball transfer
unit support, wherein a tapered neck of the ball transfer unit is
supported by the shoulder of the ball transfer unit support.
10. The ball transfer unit system of claim 9, wherein the ball
panel comprises a top skin, a bottom skin, and a corrugation, and
wherein the ball transfer unit support is configured to transfer
load from the ball transfer unit to a bottom section of the
corrugation.
11. The ball transfer unit system of claim 9, wherein the aperture
comprises a truncated circle.
12. The ball transfer unit system of claim 9, wherein the ball
transfer unit support comprises a top ring including a retaining
lip, and wherein the retaining lip is configured to snap into the
aperture.
13. The ball transfer unit system of claim 9, wherein a clearance
between a ball in the ball transfer unit and a top skin of the ball
panel is greater than 0.25 inches (0.64 cm).
14. The ball transfer unit system of claim 9, wherein the ball
transfer unit support comprises a top ring comprising a truncated
circle.
15. The ball transfer unit system of claim 9, wherein the aperture
and a top ring of the ball transfer unit support comprise an
anti-rotation feature.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to support systems.
More particularly, the present disclosure relates to ball transfer
units.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Ball transfer units provide low friction surfaces for
transporting items. A plurality of ball transfer units may be
inserted in a mounting structure (sometimes referred to as a ball
panel or ball mat) in a cargo deck of an aircraft, which may allow
for cargo to be easily slid over the deck in any direction.
Repeated loading on the ball transfer units may cause damage to the
ball transfer units or the ball panel.
SUMMARY
[0003] A ball transfer unit support is disclosed. The ball transfer
unit support may comprise a top ring, an upper portion adjacent to
the top ring, a lower portion, and a shoulder between the upper
portion and the lower portion.
[0004] In various embodiments, the ball transfer unit support may
comprise a truncated circle. The shoulder may be configured to
support a ball transfer unit. A diameter of the upper portion may
be greater than a diameter of the lower portion. The top ring may
comprise a retaining lip. The retaining lip may be configured to
contact a bottom surface of a top skin of a ball panel. The ball
transfer unit support may comprise a ball transfer unit located
within the ball transfer unit support. The top ring may be
configured to prevent rotation of the ball transfer unit
support.
[0005] A ball transfer unit system is disclosed. The ball transfer
unit system may comprise a ball panel, a ball transfer unit
support, and a ball transfer unit. The ball panel may comprise an
aperture. The ball transfer unit support may be located within the
aperture. The ball transfer unit support may comprise a shoulder.
The ball transfer unit may be located within the ball transfer unit
support. A tapered neck of the ball transfer unit may be supported
by the shoulder of the ball transfer unit support.
[0006] In various embodiments, the ball panel may comprise a top
skin, a bottom skin, and a corrugation. The ball transfer unit
support may be configured to transfer load from the ball transfer
unit to a bottom section of the corrugation. The aperture may
comprise a truncated circle. The ball transfer unit support may
comprise a top ring including a retaining lip. The retaining lip
may be configured to snap into the aperture. A clearance between a
ball in the ball transfer unit and the top skin may be greater than
0.25 inches (0.64 cm). The ball transfer unit may comprise a top
ring comprising a truncated circle. The aperture and a top ring of
the ball transfer unit support may comprise an anti-rotation
feature.
[0007] The foregoing features and elements may be combined in
various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly
indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the
operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the
following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be
understood, however, the following description and drawings are
intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. A more complete understanding of the present
disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the
detailed description and claims when considered in connection with
the drawing figures.
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a ball panel, in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0010] FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-section of a BTU system, in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-section of a BTU in accordance
with various embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a top ring and a top skin, in accordance
with various embodiments;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a BTU support in a
ball panel, in accordance with various embodiments; and
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a BTU support and a
BTU in a ball panel, in accordance with various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The detailed description of various embodiments herein makes
reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various
embodiments by way of illustration. While these various embodiments
are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the
art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other
embodiments may be realized and that logical, chemical, and
mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit
and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein
is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of
limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or
process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not
necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any
reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any
reference to more than one component or step may include a singular
embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed,
connected, or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary,
partial, full, and/or any other possible attachment option.
Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases)
may also include reduced contact or minimal contact.
[0016] Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a ball transfer
unit support. The support may be inserted in a ball panel having a
top skin and a bottom skin. A standard ball transfer unit ("BTU")
may be inserted into the BTU support. The BTU may be supported by a
shoulder portion of the BTU support. The BTU support may distribute
vertical load from the BTU onto the bottom skin. The BTU support
may snap into the top skin. Truncated sides of the BTU support may
prevent the BTU support from rotating.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a BTU ball panel 100 is illustrated
according to various embodiments. BTU ball panel 100 may comprise a
top skin 110, a bottom skin 120, and a plurality of BTUs 130. The
BTUs 130 may snap into holes in the top skin 110 of BTU ball panel
100. In various embodiments, BTU ball panel 100 may be configured
to be used as decking for a cargo deck in an aircraft. Cargo may be
slid across BTU ball panel 100, and balls 132 in the BTUs 130 may
rotate, providing a low friction surface for cargo to be moved.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2A, a cross-section of a BTU system 200 is
illustrated according to various embodiments. BTU system 200 may
comprise a ball panel 210, a BTU support 220, and a BTU 230. In
various embodiments, BTU 230 may comprise a standard BTU, such as a
model J-082269-6 "dash 6" BTU. BTU 230 may comprise a ball 232
supported by a ring of ball bearings which allow ball 232 to rotate
with low friction. Ball 232 and the ball bearings may be housed
within a canister 234. Canister 234 may comprise an upper portion
235, and a lower portion 236. A diameter of upper portion 235 may
be greater than a diameter of lower portion 236. Canister 234 may
comprise a tapered neck 237 between upper portion 235 and lower
portion 236.
[0019] BTU 230 may be seated within BTU support 220. BTU support
220 may be generally cylindrical. BTU support 220 may comprise an
upper portion 222 having a diameter D1 and a lower portion 224
having a diameter D2. In various embodiments, diameter D1 may be
about 1.81 inches (4.60 cm), such as between 1.70 inches-1.90
inches (4.32 cm-4.83 cm), and diameter D2 may be about 1.35 inches
(3.43 cm), such as between 1.25 inches-1.45 inches (3.18 cm-3.68
cm). BTU support 220 may comprise a shoulder 225 between upper
portion 222 and lower portion 224. Shoulder 225 may be configured
to support tapered neck 237 of BTU 230. Thus, vertical load on BTU
230 may be transferred from BTU 230 to BTU support 220 at the
interface between tapered neck 237 and shoulder 225. A height H1 of
lower portion 224 of BTU support 220 may be adjusted in order to
adjust a height H3 of ball 232 above top skin 212. In various
embodiments, height H1 may be about 0.912 inches (2.32 cm), such as
between 0.80 inches-1.00 inches (2.03 cm-2.54 cm). In various
embodiments, height H3 may be greater than 0.25 inches (0.64 cm),
such as about 0.40 inches (1.0 cm), or between 0.30 inches-0.50
inches (0.76 cm-1.3 cm). A height H2 of ball 232 above the top of
canister 234 may be about 0.25 inches (0.64 cm), such as between
0.20 inches-0.30 inches (0.51 cm-0376 cm). Thus, BTU support 220
may allow bail 232 to protrude further above top skin 212 than the
top of canister 234. BTU support 220 may further comprise a top
ring 226 adjacent to upper portion 222. Top ring 226 may be
configured to snap into top skin 212 of ball panel 210, as further
described with reference to FIG. 3. In various embodiments, BTU
support 220 may comprise a polymeric material, such as ULTEM, which
is a glass filled polyetherimide sold by SABIC.
[0020] Ball panel 210 may comprise top skin 212, bottom skin 214,
and corrugation 216. In various embodiments, top skin 212, bottom
skin, 214, and/or corrugation 216 may comprise aluminum sheet
metal. Corrugation 216 may comprise alternating top sections 217
and bottom sections 218 adjoined by vertical sections 219.
Corrugation 216 may provide vertical strength to ball panel 210.
Top skin 212 may comprise apertures 213 configured to accept BTU
support 220. Lower portion 224 of BTU support 220 may contact
bottom section 218 of corrugation 216, and may transfer the
vertical load from BTU 230 to ball panel 210.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2B, a cross-section of BTU 230 is
illustrated according to various embodiments. BTU 230 may comprise
a canister 234. A compression spring 295 may be located within
canister 234. Compression spring 295 may support ball bearing race
294 and ball bearings 293. Ball 232 may contact ball bearings 293,
and ball 232 may be configured to rotate relative to ball bearings
293. A retention pin 292 may retain BTU 230 within a ball panel,
and a top cover 291 may enclose canister 234. Ball 232 may protrude
above top cover 291.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, a close-up view of top ring 226 and top
skin 212 is illustrated according to various embodiments. Top ring
226 may be inserted within aperture 213 in top skin 212. Top ring
226 may comprise a vertical wall 310 and a retaining lip 312. In
various embodiments, a diameter D3 of top ring 226 at vertical wall
310 may be less than a diameter D4 of aperture 213, and a diameter
D5 of top ring 226 at retaining lip 312 may be greater than a
diameter D4 of aperture 213. Thus, contact between vertical wall
310 and an inner surface 320 of aperture 213 may prevent lateral
movement of top ring 226 within aperture 213. Additionally, contact
between retaining lip 312 and a bottom surface 330 of top skin 212
may prevent vertical movement of top ring 226. In various
embodiments, top ring 226 does not contact top surface 332 of top
skin 212. Thus, top skin 212 may not support the load on BTU
230.
[0023] In various embodiments, a compliance of BTU support 220
allows BTU support 220 to be inserted through aperture 213. As BTU
support 220 is inserted through aperture 213, retaining lip 312 may
contact inner surface 320 of aperture 213. Top ring 226 may
compress until retaining lip 312 is pushed below bottom surface 330
of top skin 212, at which point top ring 226 may decompress and
retaining lip 312 may lock into place below top skin 212.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a BTU support 410
in a ball panel 420 is illustrated according to various
embodiments. Top skin 422 of ball panel 420 may comprise apertures
423. Apertures 423 may be generally circular holes with truncated
sides 424 in top skin 422. As used herein, a circle with truncated
sides refers to a circle excluding opposing segments, such as
opposing segments 425 indicated by dashed lines. Similarly, top
ring 412 of BTU support 410 may be generally circular with
truncated sides 413. Contact between the truncated sides 413 of top
ring 412 and the truncated sides 424 of apertures 423 may prevent
BTU support 410 from rotating within apertures 423. BTU support 410
may further comprise a keyhole 414. Keyhole 414 may be configured
to receive a locking pin on a BTU in order to prevent BTU from
popping out of BTU support 410.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a BTU 510, a BTU
support 520, and a ball panel 530 is illustrated according to
various embodiments. As illustrated, a load placed on BTU 510 will
be transferred through BTU support 520 to bottom section 531 of
corrugation 532 and to bottom skin 533. Thus, top skin 534 may not
experience large loads from BTU 510, and top skin 534 may be
subject to less stress and deformation in comparison to designs,
wherein top skin 534 supports the load on BTU 510. Furthermore, as
truncated sides 522 of top ring 523 prevent rotation of BTU support
520, anti-rotation features may be omitted from bottom section 531
of corrugation 532, and bottom section 531 may comprise a
continuous sheet of material without anti-rotation features
therein.
[0026] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described herein with regard to specific embodiments.
Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures
contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional
relationships and/or physical couplings between the various
elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional
functional relationships or physical connections may be present in
a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to
problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage,
or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be
construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements
of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be
limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which
reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean
"one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or
more." Moreover, where a phrase similar to "at least one of A, B,
or C" is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be
interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B
alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an
embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may
be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B
and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used
throughout the figures to denote different parts but not
necessarily to denote the same or different materials.
[0027] Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the
detailed description herein, references to "one embodiment", "an
embodiment", "various embodiments", etc., indicate that the
embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include
the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,
such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is
described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it
is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such
feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the
description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant
art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative
embodiments.
[0028] Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the
present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public
regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is
explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be
construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the
element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for." As used
herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that
a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of
elements does not include only those elements but may include other
elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,
article, or apparatus.
* * * * *